Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, WA Home Inspector (King of the House)

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Whatcom County Home Inspection (King of the House) -- Low Water Pressure

Normal water pressure is defined as between 40 and 80 PSI. Frankly, most plumbers feel that 80 PSI is too high and that it puts extra stress on plumbing fixtures. At a one-story home, most plumbers that I know suggest a reading of about 50 PSI. If there are more stories at a house, then add about 6 PSI per story. So a three-story house might, ideally, have a PSI of about 62.

The home below was three stories -- that means the water has to go uphill. While the pressure was in the normal range, the flow at the home was poor. 

It is interesting to note that flow and pressure do not always directly relate to one another but, sometimes they do. For example, I have seen homes with wells -- typically lower pressure -- that had excellent flow at less than 40 PSI. And then we have houses like the one described above where the pressure was close to normal range but the flow was abysmal.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

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